Michigan City Chamber of Commerce Releases Back in Business Toolkit

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce has released a Back in Business Toolkit for local businesses to reference as they begin to reopen. As the State of Indiana works to reopen after the response to COVID-19, the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce is providing support to local businesses and assist them as they move forward. The “Back on Track” plan provided by the State of Indiana directs a 5-stage approach for reopening. The Chamber has taken guidance from that plan to compile a locally driven toolkit for businesses. Michigan City has seen a huge economic hit to local retail, restaurants, personal services, and small professional offices. “While the Michigan City community works through the challenges presented by COVID-19, the Chamber, along with other area agencies, is working hard to assist the business community in efforts to safely reopen and get the area’s economy moving forward,” said Chamber Board Chair, John Wall.

The Chamber’s Back in Business Toolkit includes resources and tips for businesses on how to keep their employees safe as they return to work, including implementing new processes and procedures for cleaning, social distancing, and communicating with the community. The kit shares communication tools that businesses can use to provide information to their customer base so that those visiting their business know what to expect. “Communication is key in helping put employees and customers at ease,” stated Chamber president Katie Eaton, “Sharing information both verbally and in print will eliminate some of the uncertainty that people have about what it looks like to visit or return to work.” Sample communication tools are provided in the kit for local businesses to use and make their own. While the toolkit is more focused on the reopening of small businesses, the information shared are best practices that a multitude of businesses can implement in their organizations.

The information provided in the toolkit are from resources such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Indiana Back on Track site, and others. The toolkit guidance is advisory in nature and informational in content. It may or may not be a standard or a regulation, and creates no legal obligations nor alters existing obligations. The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce provides this Back in Business Toolkit as a guide for all businesses to follow as they begin to reopen. “The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce serves to be a resource to our members, businesses, and the community. We are here to help move Michigan City Forward!” stated Chamber president, Katie Eaton. The Back in Business Toolkit can be found on the chamber’s website at www.MichiganCityChamber.com or you can request a copy by emailing info@mcachamber.com or calling 219-874-6221.